New York Governor Announces Creation of Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection

Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed New York City Council Member and former Assembly Member Rory Lancman to the new role of Statewide Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection, according to an Oct. 30 press release.

In the new role, Lancman will assess the performance of the state’s regulated utilities across the electric, natural gas, water, and telecommunication sectors. Focus areas of the review include determining whether utilities are making the required investments, meeting performance requirements, responding adequately to consumers, and complying with renewable energy goals and standards.

Prior to being elected to the New York State Assembly in 2006 and the New York City Council in 2013, Lancman spent more than 10 years representing workers in discrimination and workplace safety issues, litigating cases in state and federal court and before city, state, and federal agencies. The new position at the Department of PUblic Service will further efforts to hold regulated utilities accountable for failure to meet contractual and regulatory obligations to their customers. Governor Cuomo said that utility companies do not have the right to “abuse and bully” consumers and that those which are culpable of these behaviors must be held accountable.

The move comes on the heels of legislation proposed by Cuomo to strengthen the state’s enforcement mechanisms to hold utilities accountable for inadequate preparedness and response to extreme weather events such as Tropical Storm Isaias. The bill would increase penalties to shareholders for failing to comply with emergency response plans and other violations, and also expedite the process of revoking utilities’ license to operate as franchise.

The Special Counsel is permitted to present findings to the New York Public Service Commission during its monthly meetings concerning the performance of utility companies, file regular reports,  host forums with stakeholders and consumers, and provide recommendations regarding legislation. A specific landing page portal to the Special Counsel will be made available for consumers to file complaints or request an investigation.